Mithun Chakraborty’s son Namashi’s first interview: “I have had 5 relationships, am on a dating site and attracted to my heroine Amrin” – Exclusive – Times of India
We caught up with Namashi at his Madh Island residence for an interview and spoke to him at length about his parents, love life, ‘Bad Boy’ and many other things. We bring you the FULL INTERVIEW IN VIDEO. Click below to see it:
Below are the excerpts from the conversation:
How did the process of you becoming an actor start?
When I was born, the nurse didn’t tell my mother (Yogita Bali) ‘ladka hua hai’; she told her ‘actor paida hua hai’. I have had an obsession with becoming an actor. There was no Plan B for me. When Dad (Mithun Chakraborty) used to get ready and do his make-up, I also would start applying make-up on myself. Unke dialogues recite karta tha. And, I watched every film of Shah Rukh Khan and Govinda.
How did your parents react to your ambition ?
They were not surprised. My brother and bhabhi are actors. My sister is an actor. Yes, I had seen my Dad go through ups and downs many times. But I never changed my mind. He told me that it’s a tough job and I should be thick-skinned.
Elaborate on the advice he gave you…
Well, however it may sound, we are not as filmy as one might think. My dad is not media savvy, he rarely gives interviews. So yeah when he was undergoing a lull period in 2002, he called me and said, ‘Remember this line is not easy. Today you are a busy star, tomorrow you might be the most jobless one’. But he was not cynical. He said that I should be ready for the best as well, but I must continue working very hard.
He had 3 hotels in Ooty. He was running a school as well. And, he quickly transitioned himself into Bengali films. All said and done, I never saw him jobless for more than a month. He started delivering back-to-back big hits in Bengali cinema.
And I must tell you this. People dissuaded him after Guru saying that he was looking old, but his phone started ringing as loudly as before… after ‘Guru’. He was convinced that ‘Guru’ is a fab film.
I have been a keen observer of my Dad’s films. I have seen every film of his. If you ask me his best, it would lie somewhere between ‘Ghulami’ and ‘Disco Dancer’.
Let’s switch to your debut film ‘Bad Boy’. Himesh Reshammiya is giving music…
Himesh came to Bangalore. He showed us all the songs he had. We decided on 3 songs.
Did your Dad come on the sets?
My father surprised me by visiting the sets on Day 1. There was someone one the set who went up and told Mithun, ‘aap kuch din pehle to jawan the, ab kya ho gaya?’. I call him Mithun; I don’t call him dad.
Dad told me that people are going to compare me to him as I walk like him and talk like him. But that’s fine. That can work in my favour.
Have you made a conscious effort to have his mannerisms?
If I am inspired by someone, I tend to get their mannerisms. I have some mannerisms of SRK, Govinda and my dad.
Have you turned down any films?
Yes, but I had signed one and after 10 days of my shoot, I was replaced. I was back to Ground Zero, to be the same boy from Aram Nagar who struggled and went through his auditions. I have great rapport with Abbas Mustan; hope something with them materialises for me.
How many times have you fallen in love in life?
Five times so far. Once, I was in a live-in.
How did mom and dad react?
They were okay with it.
You fall in and out of love?
No, it’s just that I am complicated. Actors are different.
By the way, I have made a promise to never date an actress. I don’t want my GF to come home and tell me about what’s happening on the sets. Lekin haan, life hai attraction ho jata hai while working.
I was about to ask you if you are attracted to the heroine of ‘Bad Boy’- Amrin Qureshi?
Of course. I am very much attracted to her. I hope she feels the same too.
Are you single now?
Yes.
If a script comes to you, who do you consult?
Just me. My mom and dad had no idea that I had signed ‘Bad Boy’. The film’s producer Sajid Qureshi introduced me to Rajkumar Santoshi, who didn’t know that I was Mithun’s son. But he had made a passing remark to Qureshi that this boy looks like Mithun Chakraborty. He made me go through workshops and said that he’ll choose me if and only if I come out trumps in those.
I have come up the hard way. I auditioned for a film for the third lead and got rejected.
Let’s go back to your Dad. Which is that one film he shouldn’t have done?
‘Gunda’ (explains why, see the interview).
Heroines you are eager to work with…
All.
But name two…
Sara Ali Khan and Tripti Dimri.
Have you met Sara?
No. I have exchanged a few pleasantries with her on a jetty, though.
The song ‘Tera Hua’ in your film has been written by Himesh’s wife Soniya. Have you met her?
Yup. We used to work out in the same gym. Sonia ji has written a beautiful song. And above all, Arijit Singh is singing it for me. It took us 6 months to get him. Dad was instrumental in getting him on board.
Who is the sexiest of them all – Sara Ali Khan, Janhvi Kapoor or Ananya Panday?
Sara Ali Khan.
Do you and your family members discuss the state that Bollywood is in, currently?
Yes. And I think the wholesome old masala is coming back. Let’s see how it goes. Dad says his days are coming back!
Amitabh Bachchan tweeted to herald your entry in Bollywood…
That was so gracious on his part. My dad and he are great friends. Dad was working with Ranjeeta on a film and he didn’t have a car. Amit ji was passing by and he asked dad if he’s the same actor he’d seen in ‘Mrigaya’. When Dad told him ‘yes’, Mr Bachchan asked him to get into his car and dropped him home! Thereafter, and a few films together after that, they became great friends and still are.
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